How do I get rid of weeds in a flowerbed that I want to put rocks in?

Angela - I have the same problem with grass coming up in my flower beds probably because the landscape fabric I put down years ago is now no longer working. I would have to rip out everything and replace the landscape fabric, unfortunately, to stop the grass from coming up.

I'm also open to anyone's suggestions.

I can understand your frustration. No matter what you use, weeds have a way of making themselves at home. I love mulch, at least 3 inches. I hardly get weeds in the mulch, and when I do, they are easier to pull.

I'm sorry to say that if you want to be "green", mulch is probably the best answer. Unfortunately for you, with your mulch overgrown, you may well have to dig it down.

If you want to reach low in the bed, a garden cart can make it easier. With me, it's my knees! Do the work in sections and drink plenty of water. :)

But with the extent of the work you have to do, you should use long handle tools to pull/dig weeds. You may want to divide keepers, but I wouldn't think that you have to remove all your plants to start fresh.

I had lava rock and I've done pea stones, but again, weeds (as you know) still make home in them. I use just a "ditch", but I've also used mulch in the ditch and packed it with my foot. God bless you, and I hope that some kind person will help you. I would but I'm in Massachusetts.

Mary

Mary,

Thanks very much for your reply! I have done the mulch route since the bed was new and have not been able to control the weeds, however I never did the landscape fabric to start out. Maybe that would still work using it. Still cheaper than rocks most likely, and easier to put down. Also, when doing the mulch, I have never made it very deep, usually just enough to cover the ground and that's it. Maybe deeper is the solution!

I have always done sections, usually after work when I go out to check the mail or set up a sprinkler, I will pull weeds for 15 or 20 minutes, and try to work my way all the way around the bed. But, I stopped for a couple of weeks and it has all grown back. I have wanted to try those stand up weed pullers they make but just have not done so yet. Still reading reviews on them.

Yes, as you well know, lava rock is the perfect host for roots lol. I may actually try pulling out all the lava rock, more landscape fabric, mulch that, then put the rocks back! You did give me an idea! I also appreciate your offer of help, not sure if you would make it too long outside here, as I assume Massachusetts is a (hopefully!) cooler climate. We sweat as soon as we turn off the shower down here ;-)

Thanks for the input!!

Angela

weeds are hard to get rid of white viniger might help & hand pick weed s or buy weed killer!

I know you say you have a lot of frogs and want to avoid chemicals. But are the frogs really in the lava rock? More likely they’re in the grassy area? i use deep cedar bark mulch over landscaping fabric and Preen to help control weeds. Preen hasn’t killed off the ants! In Florida, our landscaping guys mowing shoots bits of weeds right back into my planting beds so I’m constantly battling weeds regrowing. Maybe whoever’s mowing your lawn could be more careful to not get weed pieces kicked up into your garden? and possibly you could hire a kid to do some yard work for you. I know my boys would have been happy to work for a couple hours if I would get them an iTunes gift card.

Yes, lots of frogs, and they live in the flowerbed itself, inside the moss rock retaining wall for the bed, and lots of times down under the lava rock. I may check into Preen, see what that is about thanks!

I am the only "mower" and it is funny but I don't have weeds in the yard, just grass. I do have some neighbors with kids, but they are all really young right now, so maybe in a few years that will be an option! :-)

Weeds have a hard time surviving without adequate sunlight. You can kill existing weeds and prevent new ones from growing using a little bit of old newspaper and some garden mulch.

Hello, try watering (watering loosens the roots to make pulling easier) then pulling what you can, then use an artist brush and paint vinegar /and roundup on the ones you can get out, frogs won't go near the vinegar smell, so they won't get harmed

Thanks Deb! Yes, I have found that water definitely helps with getting out weeds by the roots. I had not thought about vinegar, maybe something to try.

Update!! I have continued to plant new stuff in the bed, and it is finally almost to the point that what I want in there is finally choking out the weeds! I figured if I just filled the bed that day would come eventually!

What would say about carpet ? I have a back lot of rock and weeds. So I took leftover carpet from a dealer. Most pieces are fairly big. Good size. Laid it over the cut weed and left it. Carpet looks great. With stand the snow. It's better than grass.. I just plan on leaving it.

underlayement

I use Preen in the spring and again in June. in my flower beds. It prevents weed seeds from coming up. You can't use it on beds that you have planted with flower seeds but I use it on my perennial beds that have no mulch, just bare dirt and is amazing how it works. What a difference between the bed I used Preen on and the ones I didn't use the Preen sprinkled on. . I use it around rose bushes, iris, daises cone flowers and even around the Hostas.

Spray weed killer , Burn them out or dig/dig /dig

I have found that old dog food bags make a great barrier from weeds. I covered mine with pea gravel and it has keep the weeds at bay for over 10 years.

Here's a post that might help - https://chascrazycreations.com/home-made-weed-killers/